Chapter Twenty-Seven
Dylan
I was surprised by the number of attendees at the meeting since most witches likely considered this a demon matter, despite what Julian had said. Council meetings were so boring, most refused to attend unless they were actual council members and couldn’t avoid it. Even if something of interest was on the agenda, the council could make it seem boring. I hadn’t been to a meeting in at least two years, and I’d only attended that one because my mother had insisted I take her place that night. Every family had to have one member officially on the council, and my mom had really taken one for the team by agreeing to represent our family.
Since we hadn’t actually agreed on how to handle Allie’s robe color, I kept my hand on her arm as we walked into the room to make sure everyone knew she was with me. She hadn’t argued with me about it again outside, but I had a feeling she was going to try to play this off as no big deal, and I had no intention of letting that happen. Allie’s pissed off expression made my dick so hard, I was thankful for the flowing robe that hid my condition. Damn erection was actually making it difficult to walk.
My mom was there, and the slight curl of her lips meant she was happy to see me with Allie, and I had to wonder if she’d feel the same when she realized who Allie was. Separating from her group of friends, my mom made her way toward us but didn’t say one word to me as she reached out a hand to Allie.
“Alana, how are you?” my mom asked in a soothing tone. “This entire experience must have been terrifying for you. Your father is still quite upset, and who can blame him? Thankfully, Dylan was there to save you.” I did get a brief smile from my mom before her attention returned to Allie. It seemed she knew all about Allie’s heritage and was still thrilled to see me with a witch—even one who was half-succubus.
Allie looked confused by my mother’s approach. “Yes, it was frightening, and I’m very thankful to Dylan for saving me.”
“I’m Isadora Hunt,” my mom said by way of introduction.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Allie responded, still looking baffled by my mom’s warm welcome.
“I’m not sure if you remember, but I was there for your witch test,” my mom continued. “She’s quite a talented witch,” my mother said to me, and I made a mental note to ask Allie to elaborate on that detail later. The woman was full of surprises.
“Thank you. I studied hard so I wouldn’t embarrass my father,” Allie explained.
“He bragged about your test for months. They’re about to start the meeting, so we’ll have to talk more later.” My mom then headed toward the table where the council members sat.
“Your mom seems nice,” Allie said.
“Yes, she is a wonderful woman, and apparently she already likes you.” I was definitely stating the obvious.
“Why do I get the feeling she thinks we’re as good as married?” she asked nervously.
“Because you’re a smart girl,” Trevor said as we made our way to our seats. “Isadora is probably already shopping for the grandchildren she expects you to give her.”
“Don’t worry,” I told Allie, sliding my hand down to thread my fingers through hers. “My mom isn’t going to push us to get married.” I was pretty sure I wasn’t lying to Allie. Mostly sure, anyway.
“So, we don’t have anything to worry about?” Allie asked, and I really wanted to tell her we didn’t, but my mom was acting strange today, and she was determined to see me settle down with a witch.
“I’m about ninety percent sure she won’t try to force it,” I said and looked over to see my mom studying us with a small smile playing on her lips.
The meeting was called to order, preventing any further discussion of my mom’s intentions, which was probably a good thing since I wasn’t sure I could give Allie the reassurances she wanted. I’d feel bad about pushing Allie to wear the robe, but my mom would be making assumptions regardless of Allie’s robe color.
Twenty minutes later, I was biting back a yawn as we listened to expert witches discuss the possible rituals a succubus could be used in. Not surprisingly, they chose to stick to the ones that could be used against witches and ignored any other possibilities.
“Do they even want to hear what happened?” Allie finally asked quietly.
“It doesn’t seem like it,” Trevor said, sounding just as bored and annoyed.
The next hour was spent setting up a special committee to review the evidence and decide if there was any imminent danger to witches. That part was actually entertaining because Julian made some pretty ugly threats to several other council members since he felt they were making light of the danger to his daughter. Allie’s calm was impressive. In fact, she didn’t seem at all surprised by the council’s lack of concern.
It was amazing how the council could make something like a serial killer sound boring, but they excelled at boring. The committee was selected, and it finally seemed like the torturously boring council meeting was going to come to an end.
“I have another matter I would like to bring before the council,” my mom said, and I had a sinking suspicion where this was going. Based on the way every witch was instantly focused on what was happening after zoning out for the rest of the meeting, I suspected they knew what was coming, too.
Julian, bastard that he was, smiled and leaned back in his chair. “What matter is that, Isadora?”
“I request an affinity test be performed for my son, Dylan Hunt, and Alana Talbot, daughter of Julian Talbot,” my mom told the Council with an annoyingly smug grin.
“Told you we should have pretended she was with me,” Trevor said in a low voice.
“No,” Allie said. Her voice echoing across the room brought about several gasps and murmurs.
Sticking my foot in my mouth around Allie was becoming a frequent occurrence, and this was no exception. Something about her instant rejection pissed me off. Leaning closer to her, I spoke quietly in her ear. “You don’t have a say in this.”
Allie turned to glare at me. “At least I’m doing something to get out of this!” she snapped loud enough for everyone to hear. “Why don’t you try doing the same?”
Then came the part where I really stuck my foot in my mouth. “When will the test be?”
My mom looked positively delighted with my reaction. Allie looked like she was going to stab me in the balls. Julian looked intrigued as he absently rubbed his chin with one finger. Trevor looked like he was having trouble holding back his laughter.
“My father will never agree to this,” Allie continued.
“I would never force my daughter into any relationship against her will,” Julian finally said, and Allie sagged back against her chair in relief, but I already knew that wouldn’t last.
“It’s merely a test,” my mom argued. “They may not be compatible at all.”
Julian thought for a moment. “True, but I know very well what your next move would be,” he argued. “You would insist on a ceremony to join them if they are compatible. We all know how desperate you are to find a witch for your son.”
My mom didn’t deny it.
“I told you my father wouldn’t let it happen,” Allie muttered quietly, proving she didn’t really understand the council politics that well. While she might be a witch in good standing, Allie wasn’t part of this world, and she had no clue how controlling these people could be. She also had no idea how manipulative my mom could be when she wanted something bad enough.
“Your daughter obviously has feelings for my son,” my mom began. “If they married, she’d be safer, and there would no longer be any need for her to work in that dreadful club.”
Julian opened his mouth to say something, but let out a sigh. “She makes a very good point, Alana. I don’t like you working in that club, and I’m very concerned about your safety after the attack.”
“Affinity test or not, I will not be forced to quit my job,” Allie argued. I was beginning to wonder if she was trying to get the council to force the affinity te
st. If nothing else, she was pushing her father to agree.
Julian glared at Allie before turning his attention back to my mom. “Alana will be here for the affinity test in two weeks. As I understand it, the Dupree family is away until then.” He looked at Trevor for confirmation.
“Yes, all except for me are away,” Trevor said. His family members administered the affinity tests between witches. With only Trevor in the area, there was no one to do the test since he’d had no training in that area.
“Then it’s agreed,” my mom said with delight. “You will both return in two weeks for the test.”
Allie’s mouth dropped open, but she was smart enough not to argue.
I was feeling surprisingly good about this outcome, which was insane since I didn’t know Allie well enough to take a step like this. “We’ll be here, and Alana will be dressed in my family’s color for the test,” I said with a smirk.
Allie stood, lips pressed in a firm line, and stormed out of the room. Trevor looked like he couldn’t decide if he wanted to laugh at my dilemma or defend Allie. Since we were still seated in a council meeting, he wisely chose to keep his mouth shut.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’d better go catch her,” I said.
“Of course, darling,” my mom agreed with a huge grin. “Before you go, I must say, I really like this one.”
“She’s the only one you’ve ever met.” I reminded her.
“That’s what I like best about her,” my mom said. “Now, I need to run over to pick up Percy from the familiar room.”
Percy, a standard poodle, was my mom’s familiar and had been like a brother to me growing up. “Tell him I’ll stop by to see him next week,” I told my mom.
“I will.” She waved as she walked toward the area where witches left their familiars during meetings.
“Dylan,” Julian called out when I was almost at the door.
I turned but said nothing.
“Do not make me regret giving you this chance with my daughter,” he warned. “I hope I don’t need to explain what will happen if you hurt her.”
“No, you don’t,” I said, realizing that Allie’s father was really growing on me.
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